Grizzlies hold off Thunder for first-ever trip to West Finals

Oklahoma City, OK (Sports Network) - There will be a new Western Conference
champion after the Memphis Grizzlies eliminated the Oklahoma City Thunder in
another close battle at Chesapeake Energy Arena Wednesday.

The Grizzlies used their stout defense and double-doubles from Zach Randolph
and Mike Conley to take Game 5, 88-84, and advance to the franchise's first
conference final.

Randolph poured in 28 points and grabbed 14 rebounds but missed two late free
throws with the Grizzlies holding a two-point lead.

Kevin Durant had a chance to tie the game with time winding down and missed an
open 15-footer, and Tony Allen sealed the outcome at the foul line.

Conley finished with 13 points, 11 assists and seven boards for the fifth-
seeded Grizzlies, who won the final four games of the series after losing the
opener.

Durant, relied on more heavily after All-Star point guard Russell Westbrook
went down with a knee injury last round, felt the burden in the ouster as he
connected on just 5-of-21 from the field for 21 points.

Oklahoma City, the West's top seed, averaged a mere 89.6 points in the series
-- 16.1 points less than its regular season average.